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Backers of a bill to give the Hornets franchise a nearly $4 million tax break say they are not giving up.

The legislation failed in the state House of Representatives this week, but supporters said Friday they will try to bring it up for another vote on Monday.

As a big "Thank You" celebration for Hornets fans was underway in the C.B.D. Friday afternoon, negotiations were underway to save the tax break that is part of the new lease agreement between the state and the team.

"We need to make sure the bill gets passed," said State Rep. Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, sponsor of HB 1072.

Earlier this week, the $3.7 million tax break did not make it through the hoop in the House. It was defeated by a few votes. The annual tax break expires next year.

The crazy thing is how dumb our legistlators are. Even the simple math works as the annual incentives paid to the Hornets that would be eliminated by approving this (and therefore allowing for approval of the lease) exceeds the tax breaks in this bill. That is before even considering the economic impact and job creations by locking the team here through 2024.

The crazy thing is how dumb our legistlators are. Even the simple math works as the annual incentives paid to the Hornets that would be eliminated by approving this (and therefore allowing for approval of the lease) exceeds the tax breaks in this bill. That is before even considering the economic impact and job creations by locking the team here through 2024.

They are WHIIFM's (what's in it for me.) types. They rattle a couple sabers, threaten to kill the deal and get a few bones tossed their way for their "trouble." Business as usual in the political arena, I suppose.

BATON ROUGE -- The House reversed itself Monday and approved a tax rebate bill for the New Orleans Hornets after failing to approve it last week. House Bill 1072 by Rep. Cameron Henry, R-Jefferson, cleared the chamber 60-41 after being sidetracked 49-46 last Wednesday, four votes short of what is needed to pass most bills through the House.

Ron Forman, chairman of the Superdome Commission, the state agency that oversees the New Orleans Arena, the Hornets' home, and Doug Thornton, the regional vice president of the company that operates both the Superdome and the Arena, were in the Capitol most of Monday to visit with lawmakers.

The only New Orleans area House member to vote against the bill was Rep. Harold Ritchie, D-Franklinton, who represents a portion of St. Tammany Parish. Reps. Jerry "Truck" Gisclair, D-Larose, and Rep. Scott Simon, R-Abita Springs, were absent for the vote.

The tax rebates are a key part of the state's new lease agreement with the National Basketball Association in a deal recently negotiated to keep the Hornets in New Orleans through 2024, and possibly 2029.